September 2013 Sightings

I have 3 monarchs that frequent my butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii). Rescued a swallowtail out of a puddle.

Part of NABA count

Absence of Monarchs and Common Buckeyes is stunning.

Finally, two American Ladies, though.

Pleased to see American Snout, not always here.

Didn’t see any Cloudless Sulphurs in the CMBO Garden, but saw several dozen along and over the highway driving in and driving out in Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem Counties.

Their host plant, Eriogonum nudum is in full bloom.

While trying to get a picture of a Zabulon female, suddenly a well-worn Giant Swallowtail came and perched on my butterfly bush. Perhaps the first recorded this year in Bucks County? Well worn - it has been around awhile.

The White M Hairstreak was very worn so white spot at center of hind wing’s leading edge hard to see, but the bright blue upper side was visible several times in flight

Spent some time between classes observing pollinators in the KSU Gardens. I will note that there is an established breeding population of Gulf Fritillaries in the gardens this year, thanks to the huge fence of Passiflora incarnata on the NW side of the gardens parking lot.

Most likely not the same individual I saw here on Aug. 7

During my stay in Amagansett from 9/ 3 to 9/10 I observed the following butterflies on Eastern South Fork: Only one Monarch was migrating along the Beach and 2 additional were observed nectaring. The highlight were 4 Shearwaters quite close to the beach.

My count for Hackberry Emperors and Cloudless Sulphurs… first I’ve seen this year for both… is conservative, there were many “fly bys”. Also excluded a couple of skippers that did not rest long enough to have a look at! Orange Sulphurs very abundunt.

Second Sighting of the Giant Swallowtail at this location for 2013.

Weekly survey with Alan Wells
60 +, bright sun
First week since June 8 that no Appalachian Browns were seen

A praying mantis devoured a tiger swallowtail. It started first with the head, then worked on the body and let the wings drop. It was such an interesting sight, and I felt privileged to be there to observe it.

two cloudless sulphurs were right at the parking area when i arrived going from plant to plant, they then flew off and tangled in the air for several minutes, and returned. the one closest was observed laying eggs on the pea plants that are in with the grass plantings.

also saw two monarchs, which seems to be the average for the last few visits, way down from last yr, and their buttefly bushes are fading fast.

This is a weekly survey. This is the most butterflies I have seen at one time in this park since I started doing the survey back in 2002. It is the most by nearly 200 butterflies! The plant Ageratina Altissima has expanded tremendously throughout the park over the years, especially the last 2 years. The butterflies seem to love it as it blooms white for nearly the entire month of September. This was a great 2 hours in the field after a very disappointing and down year surveying!

Relatively short survey but covering a lot of acreage; one Com. Buckeye was the only nymphalid species noticed, unusual for this site in early Sept.! Monarchs seem as low as have almost ever been in recent times: hope for more as autumn comes along; but nice to see Swarthy Skipper hanging in - in modest numbers; no Fiery Skipper definitively seen, but with over 250 Sachems to sort through, maybe a few Fierys did sneak past! The one Peck’s Skipper seen looked very fresh. Plenty of flowers, both planted (non-natives) & wild (some native), yet not the butterflies to match the numbers of blooms, on this brief visit. Weather was good & very sunny, a bit breezy though for photography. Some habitat at this big site is under stress, and also some is dumbly-mowed to quarter inch height for no reason beyond a worker getting paid to mow. Many butterflies as usual found in the well-planted - & often watered - community gardens section, some also in lingering tall-grass and wildflower habitats!

Lots of wildflowers continue. 10:30 a.m. - 5:15 p.m. Cloudy most of day. One Cuban Crescent worn, one fresher. Linda Cooper

Unusual sighting here.. Third this year. A pair this time.

Sightings recorded over 4 hours and 5 minutes between 9:05 am and 1:20 pm.
Habitat: Roadsides through hilly mature oak-hickory forest with a few streams (dry due to drought)
Weather: 73F - 92F, mostly cloudy - mostly sunny, mostly calm

Larve in photo is probably Common Buckeye.

Sightings recorded from 3:55 - 4:10 pm and 4:50 pm - 5:30 pm.
Weather: 96F - 96F, partly sunny, some light wind
Habitat: Multi-bed public flower garden at park in residential neighborhood on Mississippi River bluff.

Also recorded one Red-banded Hairstreak (see photos). As far as we know, this is a state record for Iowa!

First Painted Lady and Common Buckeye of the year!

Large number of Salt Marsh Skippers in planted flower beds.
Monarch number terrible for this location and time of year.

Sighted these on Lantana growing in my backyard.

With Jane Lampkin. 74 & windy.
Although Leonard’s Skipper is often associated with purple flowers as a nectar source, we found ours on white asters and White Boneset as well as knapweed. (see pic)

Periodic survey.
With Jane Lampkin & Groundskeeper Matt Ceplo
70, sunny
Finally, a single Fiery Skipper,
Finding a Tawny-edged amongst abundant worn Sachems took some luck and careful looking.
New brood of Pecks covered Agastache. Stunning.

Lifer Little Metalmark and Phaon Crescent. Good day for leps.

Eufala skipper. Rather far north for this species. It took me nearly a year to ID it.

a beautiful sunny day, 60’s. Just rained the days before

Extremely unusual sighting. Appeared very fresh.

Lifer Delaware Skipper.

The Bronze Copper was a fresh female.

Red-spotted purple was nectaring on boneset along edge of towpath.

About two dozen Sleepy Oranges flying around senna.

Weekly survey with Alan Wells
66-71 overcast
Possible new late date for NY Appalachian Browns?

One butterfly we did not expect to see was a Tawny Emperor, “nectaring” near the top of a garbage can in the picnic area!

Participants: Fred Allen (leader), Stuart Hills, Jean Evoy, Bill Evoy, Laurel Rhodes. Count duration: 2 hours. Weather: Clear and sunny, temp. 85-90 F.

Checkered whites were seemingly absent this past summer, but cabbage whites are abundant.

No sign of Leonard’s Skipper despite three hours of looking.

Viceroy ovipositing on corkscrew willow.

Spotted 1 fly through our yard right over, within inches, past 4 butterfly bushes, that still have many full blooms on them. 4pm in the afternoon, mixed sun & clouds, 71 degrees. This is the FIRST MONARCH spotted here this year. Last year we were loaded with them.

First of two 50min stops in the area targeting Monarch and Common Buckeye, which have been very scarce and uncommon this year, respectively. In a normal year, at least a couple of dozen monarchs would be expected.

2nd of two local 50min stops targeting Monarch and Common Buckeye, which have been scarce and uncommon, respectively, this year. Most butterflies along the sandy trails leading south. Temps in mid to upper 60s. Should be many Monarchs passing by in a normal year.

One sulphur was a very pale white alba form.

The Rabbitbush was in full bloom - the skippers were all over it!

Weekly survey with Groundskeeper Matt Ceplo
68, sun & clouds

The Gray Hairstreak that is ovipositing is on Eriogonum wrightii.

Potential Rare Skippers but couldn’t get confirmation.

Sleepy Orange summer form still around—fall form here on September 16

Weekly survey with Alan Wells.
As far as I know, this is a late date for Appalachian Browns in the lower Hudson Valley.

The 1st 2.5 miles of the trail (out-n-back). Started at 3:30pm.

Observations made on the wildlife drive & the Tubman Trail. Vegetation along the drive was much improved over last year. Last year the vegetation was mowed right down to the water’s edge. Goldenrod was the dominant nectar source.

We are a little north of the Zebra Heliconian range, but for 4 days we have had a single zebra longwing visit our butterfly-caterpillar garden feeding exclusively on Mexican sunflower-tithonia. The photo doesn’t bring out the yellow stripes as they appear in person, but this is a very striking butterfly. Undoubtly a male because it was not interested in any of the several passion vines we have.

Viceroys were fresh, most other butterflies showing some wear.

Found numerous Cracker eggs on my dalechampia discoreifolia vine. Did not see the butterfly but am assuming it was a Gray Cracker.

The Gray Comma was at a mud puddle with three Eastern Commas.

Weekly survey with Alan Wells
55-59, sun changing to overcast
2 very fresh Pearl Crescents

not much to show for a whole afternoon….very different from a late October last yr at same location. Although I was not primarily butterflying, I was paying attention…and everywhere i went almost every large orange butterfly turned out to be a Gulf Fritillary.

Red-spotted Purples were very fresh

This is one of few records of Arogos Skipper at this state park though the habitat and host plant are here. This worn female was confirmed by an Arogos Skipper expert. Weather was not very good with rain moving into area in early afternoon. Brisk winds. Lots of Carphephorus corymbosus but not much liatris yet.

almost no monarchs…..again….every large orange butterfly was a Gulf Frit except one monarch that i scared up.
common buckeyes were ridiculously abundant

1st mountain snow of the season on Friday. Snow is on ground but melting.

Surprisingly slow for a warm, sunny late September day. The Red Admiral was noteworthy because its been absent for much of the summer. This is the first I’ve seen in more than two months.

2-hour walk, about 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Absence of Monarchs stunning! Nice to see a Common Buckeye, another butterfly which would normally be numerous here this time of year!

We hit the jackpot here! This area is NOT open to the public EXCEPT during hunting season. We had to get special permission for entry. One Arogos Skipper was seen on survey here on Sep. 8. This one was in Lake County. The one found on Sep. 28 was in Sumter County and very fresh individual. It is really a shame it is only open during hunting season which doesn’t start until mid-Oct. Rare skippers are flying NOW! Also there is a cool historic site on Main Grade with a memorial plaque to two members of the Stewart family murdered by an axe-wielding grandson and friend in the early 1900s.

Weekly survey with Groundskeeper Matt Ceplo
60-67

While waiting for my car to be serviced I checked out an area of about 2 acres that has been very productive for butterflies over the past year or so as I have an hour or two to kill while waiting for the car. I checked out the area from 3:00 - 4:30 pm. It was warm (around 75º F) and sunny. Great for pictures.